Celebrate Earth Day while learning about sustainability and organic practices through free, fun, family activities in Dewey Square Park.

Join the Greenway Conservancy staff, YouthBuild Boston, North Bennett Street School and the EPA as we showcase the new Dewey Demonstration Gardens. In addition to learning about raised beds, rain gardens and composting, you can visit with representatives from Boston Natural Areas Network, WalkBoston, the Boston Tree Party and our own Green and Grow program. We’ll have interactive music making with the Ecology of Sound, face painting, games for kids and adults alike and great food from our resident food trucks. There’s also a rumor that the EPA volunteer band, the Hazardous Constituents, might make an appearance!

The 3rd Annual SEC is designed to advance the knowledge, perspective and networks of all sector leaders and others working to create a sustainable economy, improve economic recovery and growth, reduce operation costs, drive job creation, build sustainable communities and expand the green economy in Massachusetts. This is achieved with interactive panels, roundtable discussions and single-leader sessions on diverse and relevant topics with distinguished Conversation Leaders and a networking reception.

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Massachusetts and the world economy face unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in the 21st century. Developing sustainable communities and a sustainable economy in our current economic and environmental circumstances are major challenges and major opportunities of the 21st century. In response, the mission of the 3rd Annual SEC is to build bridges within and across Massachusetts’ government, business, academic, nonprofit and community sectors to a viable 21st century economy.

A key to creating a viable 21st century economy is for all sector organizations to systematically participate in the market shift to embed sustainability, as well as diversity and inclusion, into their business model while partnering in new ways within and across sectors.

The value of sustainability, as well as diversity and inclusion, in developing new opportunities, improving competitiveness, attracting and retaining skilled employees and residents and providing value added to customers, stakeholders and communities is the foundation for fostering a 21st century economy in Massachusetts.

The demand for sustainable solutions will be drivers for the 21st century economy. The 3rd Annual SEC is designed to:

Provide a platform to discuss new collaborations and partnerships for sustainable solutions within and across sectors

Serve as a resource on cutting edge “sustainable thinking” through experiences, case studies, and showcases

Promote diversity and inclusion to improve business performance in Massachusetts

Provide effective tools and approaches for meeting the challenges of the changing global market and encouraging businesses to meet the new market expectations

Promote an equitable and ecologically sustainable economy

The 3rd Annual SEC is designed to foster the development of new networks and business relationships.

The 3rd Annual SEC brings together the government, business, academic, nonprofit and community sectors for the purpose of creating sustainable communities and a sustainable economy in Massachusetts.

Please join the Mystic River Watershed Association, in collaboration with Somerville Climate Action, for a free screening of the award-winning documentary film Bag It at the Somerville Theater on April 11th. Space is limited – please reserve your seat today!

Produced by Reel Thing Productions in association with the Telluride Institute, Bag It is a powerful look at the impacts of plastics on society. The film focuses on plastic as it relates to our throwaway mentality, our culture of convenience, our over consumption of unnecessary, disposable products and packaging – things that we use one time and then, without another thought, throw them away. But where is AWAY?? Away is over flowing landfills, clogged rivers, islands of trash in our oceans, and even our very own toxic bodies.

Featuring interviews with scientists and experts from around the world, Bag It is a first-person documentary in the style of Michael Moore, asking how we can incorporate healthy, more environmentally friendly practices into our lives, our cultures, and our communities.

“I didn’t expect a movie about plastic bags to change my life in such a deep and profound way. Gripping, funny, intelligent, and sure to change your life.” – Louie Psihoyos, Director of The Cove

Why: The Mystic River, a beautiful resource for many local communities, faces many environmental challenges. The Watershed Association is working hard to create a healthier river for the future and presents this movie to alert the twenty two communities in the watershed to potential river hazards. With Earth Day on April 22nd, this film inspires us to look more closely at the use of plastic in our lives, as well as the impact it has on our local waterways. The event is followed by Earth Day cleanups throughout the watershed on April 21st and April 28th (see www.MysticRiver.org for details).

This is the fourth in a series of events to celebrate Mystic River Watershed Association’s 40th Anniversary year – a year to highlight and promote the recreational opportunities of the Mystic, as well as the water quality testing and environmental policy efforts that the Mystic River Watershed Association has led over its forty year history.

Runners, walkers, paddlers, cyclists, volunteers, spectators and all Mystic enthusiasts, we hope to see you on May 20th!Don’t delay – Register today.

The Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle consists of a 5K Run/Walk (USATF certified course) along the Mystic River Bike Path at 9am and a 3, 9 or 12 mile Paddling Race up the Mystic River beginning at 11am. Compete in both the 5K and 12 mile paddle races and be eligible for the Iron Herring Award. Bike to the Sea will lead a 1.5 hour bicycle tour along the Mystic departing at 11:15am.

Fabulous prizes are donated by local businesses. T-Shirts provided to all who register by May 1st! This is the annual fundraiser for the Mystic River Watershed Association, an environmental non-profit organization celebrating 40 years in 2012!